Why Spain coach wants Argentina, not England, in World Cup final?

Spain have already sealed their spot in the World Cup final, and coach Luis de la Fuente has made no secret of who he would rather face there — Argentina, not England, and for reasons that have nothing to do with tactics.

Speaking after Spain's 2-0 dismantling of France in Tuesday's opening semi-final, de la Fuente said the four best teams in the FIFA rankings had reached the semi-finals for the first time in history, calling it proof of the depth of talent at this World Cup.

Pressed on his preference for the final, he said Spain had no real preference between the two sides, but admitted he would be excited to face Argentina because of his friendship with Scaloni, while also respecting England as a tough rival — insisting he was ready to face whichever side emerged from Wednesday's second semi-final.

That friendship dates back nearly a decade. De la Fuente once taught Scaloni during a coaching course at the Royal Spanish Football Federation, where the Argentine earned his coaching licence before eventually taking charge of the Albiceleste.

Argentina are the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions, while Spain arrive as European champions, giving Wednesday's Argentina-England semi-final in Atlanta added significance for de la Fuente as a potential decider of his final opponent.

Scaloni, speaking at his own pre-match press conference in Atlanta ahead of the Argentina-England semi-final, returned the warmth. Asked about his old mentor, he said he was happy for de la Fuente, calling him a good man who has always helped him. On whether he would phone his former coach ahead of the final, Scaloni joked he would call only if Argentina lost and needed a hand, and hoped he would not need to call before the final at all.

The Argentina-England semi-final kicks off at 1:00am (Bangladesh time) on Thursday (July 16), at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The winner faces Spain in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — the same stage where de la Fuente and Scaloni's paths may cross again, this time as rivals rather than teacher and student.